Friday, November 18, 2011

John 18 and 19

  1. 18:1-14 What incidents in this passage indicate Jesus’ willingness to give Himself to die? Class Comments: v. 4 – He knew what was going to happen, and “went forward” to meet Judas and the soldiers. v. 5 – He told them, “I am He.” v. 8 – Again, he told them, “I am He,” and to let his disciples go their way. v. 11 – To Peter, after he cut off the ear of Malchus, “Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?”
  2. 18:15-27 When Annas asked Jesus about His disciples and His teaching, how did Jesus answer? Class Comments: “I spoke openly – why ask me? Ask those who heard me.” Jesus was not some secret political insurrectionist. Everything he did, he did in the open. He also knew they already knew what he was teaching.
  3. 18:28-32 What charges did the Jews bring against Jesus before Pilate? According to verse 31, what was their ultimate purpose? Class Comments: They brought no specific charges – just accused him of being an evildoer. They just wanted him dead and out of their way. Note on verses 31-32: In executions, the Jews stoned; the Romans crucified. Jesus’ death on a Roman cross was part of God’s plan. Irony in verse 28: While being careful about their ability to partake of the Passover lamb, they were crucifying the Passover Lamb.
  4. 18:33-40 What is the nature of the Jesus’ kingdom? Class Comments: It’s a spiritual kingdom, not of this world. Because of the nature of the kingdom, Christians are never a threat to governments, which are ordained of God – even if they are perceived as such because of their godly lives. Irony in verse 28: Pilate asks “What is truth?” while looking at Truth in the face.
  5. 19:1-16 What was Pilate afraid of? Class Comments: v. 8 – That he would be responsible for killing the Jewish God. Note: I don’t think we can surmise from this passage that he was afraid of killing the Son of the God of creation. As an idolater, though, he might have had some fear of killing A god. v.12 – He may have been afraid of killing a god, but he was more afraid of losing his position with the Emperor, Tiberius. Note: Verse 6 has been called “the strangest victory in history.” Also, more irony in 9:15 – “We have no king but Caesar,” especially in light of 8:33, when they claimed to be enslaved to no man.
  6. 19:17-27 Briefly describe the actions of 1) the chief priests; 2) Pilate; 3) the soldiers; 4) the women. Class Comments: 1) The chief priests objected to the writing on the cross, that Jesus was King of the Jews. 2) Pilate inscribed that title. 3) The soldiers crucified Jesus and divided his garments among themselves (and thereby fulfilling the prophecy of Psalm 22:18); 4) The women stood by the cross.
  7. 19:28-30 What were Jesus’ last words before His death, according to John’s account? What did He mean? Class Comments: Two outbursts: “I am thirsty!” and “It is finished.” The prophecies in Scripture had been fulfilled; His earthly mission was accomplished. The Greek word for “finished” is used to mean “the debt is paid in full.” It is the same term used when someone reaches the top of a mountain.
  8. 19:31-37 What two scriptures were fulfilled in this passage? Class Comments: Verse 36 – “His bones will not be broken” is a description of the Passover lamb in Exodus 12:46 and Numbers 9:12 as well as a possible prophecy of the Messiah in Psalm 34:20. Verse 37 – “They shall look on Him whom they pierced” is a quote from Zechariah 12:10. The mourning described in Zechariah 12:10 is fulfilled in Luke 23:48.
  9. 19:38-42 Who buried Jesus? What did each man provide? (Also see Matthew 27:60.) Class Comments: Joseph of Arimathea took the body and provided a clean linen cloth for burial. According to Matthew 27:59-60, he also provided the tomb. Nicodemus brought 75 pounds of spices – myrrh and aloes. Both men had been secret disciples. Both had the wherewithal and position to provide a burial place for their Savior and used them.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

John 15, 16, and 17

  1. 15:1-8 What is necessary before we can bear fruit? What do you think it means to bear fruit?
    Class comments: In order to bear fruit, we must first be part of the vine. We must be one with Christ. We can’t do it alone.
    Bearing fruit includes taking opportunities to teach others, being educated in the Word, showing others we care.
    Galatians 5:22-23 identifies the fruit of the Spirit as love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.

  2. 15:9-17 What commands does Jesus give in this passage? Obeying his commands makes us _________, not ________.
    Class comments: All the commands in this passage have to do with love. Verse 9: “Abide in my love.”
    Verse 12: “Love one another as I have loved you.”
    Verse 17: “Love one another.”
    In verse 15, Jesus told the disciples that no longer would he call them servants, but friends. Since he’s addressing the disciples, it’s possible that that friendship was limited to those he had spent so much time with, and to whom he had revealed himself.
    On the other hand, might not the same principle apply to us? “You are my friends if you do what I command you.”
    Being a friend of Jesus doesn’t mean we no longer serve him. If we are his friends, we will want to please him and therefore would serve him out of love, not out of duty.

  3. 15:18-26 Who was Jesus talking about when he refers to the “world”?
    Class comments:
    Human systems that oppose God’s purpose; those who don’t recognize Jesus as the Savior.
    Second question: “What would they do to the Christians?” They would 1) Hate the disciples (v. 19) and 2) Persecute them (v. 20). They would also hate the Son and the Father (v. 23).
    Note from FHU class: 5 Major Reasons Christians Were Hated (5 Accusations)
    a. They were arsonists (blamed by Nero) – 2 Peter 3:10
    b. They were atheists (didn’t believe in gods) – Acts 17
    c. They broke up families (love me more…) – Matthew 10:34,35
    d. They were cannibals (“Eat my body, drink my blood”) – John 6; 1 Cor. 11:24,25
    e. They were Immoral (they celebrated with love feasts) – Jude 1:12
  4. 16:1-4 Who are “they”? Why would they persecute believers? Consider: Is conscience a safe guide when it comes to our religious beliefs?
    Class comments:  “They” refers to the Jewish leaders and Romans. They wanted to get rid of the things believers taught. Jesus was a threat to them. A conscience is useful to us only if it’s been trained in the Word – the only absolute standard.
  5. 16:5-15 Who is this “Helper” or “Comforter” that Jesus talked about? What purpose will He serve? Of what three things will He convict the world?
    Class comments: The Holy Spirit would guide the disciples to all truth, to convict  them of sin, righteousness, and the judgment.
    The different translations gave us different understandings of verses 8-11. The NASV uses the phrase “convict the world of guilt,” whereas the other translations read merely “convict the world,” which could also carry the connotation of “convince.”
    In Strong’s, the definition of the Greek word is
    to convict, refute, confute 1) generally with a suggestion of shame of the person convicted; 2) by conviction to bring to the light, to expose. Note: The People’s New Testament explains it more simply than some of the other commentaries.
  6. 16:16-24 What does Jesus mean when he tells them they won’t see him, but then they will? To what does he compare it?
    Class comments: His death and resurrection. Like a woman in labor, they would suffer distress at his leaving them and because of his trial and crucifixion, but his resurrection would be like the birth of a child. Out of grief will come joy.
  7. 16:25-33 Jesus spoke of peace in this passage. From verses 27, 32, and 33, what are possible sources of this peace?
    Class comments: v. 27 – The Father loves us (Greek phileo); v. 32 – The Father would be with the Son when all others have scattered; v. 33 – Jesus has overcome the world.
  8. 17:1-5 What was Jesus’ prayer for Himself? According to verse 2, what was the work that Jesus came to do?
    Class comments: He prayed the glorify the Son. He came to give eternal life to those God had given Him.
  9. 17:6-19 What did Jesus ask for on behalf of the men that God had given Him?
    Class comments: He prayed 1) that they would all be one (11); 2) that they would have His joy (13); 3) that they would be kept from the evil one (15); 4) that they would be sanctified in the Truth (17).
  10. 17:20-26 For whom did Jesus pray in these verses? What did He pray for?
    Class comments: He prayed for those who would believe through the apostles’ words (us!). He prayed that we would be one (v. 21); that we would be in unity, so that the world would know that God sent Christ (v. 23); that we would be with him where he his, to behold His glory (v. 24); that His love would be in us.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

John 13 and 14

  1. 13:1-17 What did Jesus mean when he told Peter, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me” (vs. 8)? Multiple choice (from The Serendipity Bible):
    a. “I don’t want to share a room with anyone with dirty feet.”
    b. “To be part of me you have to learn to receive.”
    c. “You have to let my coming sacrifice cleanse you from your sin.”
    d. “As long as you live, you will need cleansing and forgiveness.”
    e. “Unless you’re a servant like I am, you can’t be my disciple.”
Class Comments: Most in the class picked “e” as one of their answers, with “b” and “c” as other choices. Note: Peter was very emphatic in his initial refusal. In the Greek, he uses a double negative [οὐ (never) μή (cannot)] for emphasis. The Serendipity Bible includes suggestions for small group studies. As is typical in the multiple questions they suggest, there is not just one right answer.
  1. 13:18-30 Since “Satan entered him,” was Judas responsible for the action he was about to take? Class Comments: Yes, he was. Judas  allowed Satan to influence him, gave him an opening because of his own greed. James 1:14-15 teaches about the progression of sin, from lust to sin to death.
  2. 13:31-35 How can others know we belong to Christ? How many others? How does this relate to 13:14-15? Class Comments:  Others know we belong to Christ when we love one another. All – both believers and unbelievers – will know we are of Christ. Love is demonstrated by our service. Both love and humble service are signs of discipleship. Note: According to Leviticus 19:18, even the Old Testament commanded love for neighbors. According to notes I took in a previous class, William Barclay called this a new commandment because it was “as I have loved you” – selflessly, sacrificially, with understanding and forgiveness.
  3. 13:36-38 Do you think Peter understood that Jesus was speaking of His death, or just of a dangerous situation? Class Comments: He thought it would be just a dangerous situation. The disciples didn’t seem capable of understanding the nature of the kingdom of which Jesus spoke. They still looked for an earthly kingdom, free from Roman bondage. Note: Also from my FHU class notes: Peter was willing to meet a sharp dagger, but later couldn’t withstand the sharp tongue of a maiden (18:17). When Jesus told Peter he couldn’t follow Jesus, the general consensus was that Jesus was talking about the cross, although it could also include his ascension back to the Father.
  4. 14:1-6 Is Jesus the only way, the only truth, the only access we have to life? What does that mean for those who follow other spiritual leaders? Class Comments: If we believe Jesus, we have to believe He is the only Way, the only Truth, the only Life. That means those following mere men  will not gain spiritual, eternal life. When they reject Christ, they reject the way, the truth, and the life. See also Acts 4:12.
  5. 14:7-11 How does Philip’s question indicate his misunderstanding of who Jesus was? Class Comments: He wanted a physical showing of the Father. Since Jesus was a man and could show himself, couldn’t his father also do the same? He seemed to think that Jesus was merely an emissary of God, not the image of God himself. See also Hebrews 1:3.
  6. 14:12-14 In context, what prayer requests is Jesus promising to fulfill? What is the purpose of such prayers? Class Comments: He promises to fulfill prayers asked in His name, according to His purpose, by His authority, for the purpose of glorifying his Father. Prayers for strength, peace, and the ability to carry out his will. Note the context: He is talking about works. He will fulfill the requests that are a continuation of His works.
  7. 14:15-18 How much do the promises about the Holy Spirit in verses 16-18 depend on Jesus’ statement in verse 15? Class Comments: This promise is based on Jesus’ love for us, and our love for Jesus, which we show in our obedience. If Jesus’ love abides in us, we will obey Him; it will be part of our nature to do so. Note: The transliterated Greek word for Comforter in verse 16  is paraclete: one who is called to stand along beside, to help, to advocate on behalf of.
  8. 14:19-24 How do we show Jesus that we love Him? What are the resulting blessings? Class Comments: By obeying him. The resulting blessings are that the Father will also love us, and both the Son and Father will make their abode with us. Question asked: But doesn’t the Father love all of us unconditionally, even those who don’t obey Him? I would answer that this doesn’t exclude God’s love for the whole world, but is an assurance to disciples that the Father will not only love them, but live in them through His Son – an assurance the unbelieving world cannot have.
  9. 14:25-31 To whom was Jesus speaking in this passage? How would the Holy Spirit be a helper to them? Class Comments: He’s speaking to the disciples, those who ate supper with Him (the apostles, Luke 22:14). He would teach them all things, and bring to their remembrance all things – help they would need as they taught others in the first century without the aid of the written word we have. Question: Then would not all the promises he made be only to the apostles? As we briefly surveyed the chapter, it appeared that some of those promises were general in nature. For example, in 13:33-35, verse 33 would have to apply only to the apostles, whereas in 13:34-35 is a principle that would apply to all disciples of every time. A good study for another time!